Italian Tiramisu for Dummies

Italian Dessert Recipe - Tiramisu

Tiramisu is my utmost favorite Italian dessert ... It's an aphrodisiacs. The Italian name Tiramisu means "pick-me-up" (metaphorically, "make me happy", although it could have a more sexual meaning), referring to the two caffeine-containing ingredients, espresso and cocoa. It's chocolaty taste contains both a sedative which relaxes and lowers inhibitions and a stimulant to increase activity and the desire for physical contact. Here's an easy Tiramisu recipe that is sure to please your taste buds.

Ingredients :

1 package of lady fingers (Italian sponge finger biscuits)

4 egg yolk

1/2 cup sugar

1 lb of Marscapone cheese

1 cup of heavy cream

1/2 cup of freshly brewed espresso coffee

1/4 cup of cocoa powder

Method :

1. In a large bowl, beat the egg yolk and sugar until the mixture is thicken and light yellow in color.

2) Mix in the Marscapone cheese till thoroughly mixed.

3) In a medium bowl, whipped the heavy cream until stiff peaks form and fold in the cheese mixture.

4) Dip the lady fingers in espresso and line the bottom of a baking dish or large serving plate with half of them.

5) Pour in half of the cheese mixture & smooth surface.

6) Add another layer of lady fingers dipped in espresso.

7) Pour in the remaining cheese mixture on top & smooth surface.

8) Chill for 2 hours and dust with cocoa powder before serving.

note : Tiramisu should be served chilled, not frozen.

Homemade Banana Nut Muffins

Banana Nut Muffin

I am not much of a baker. My repertoire of baking is limited to the cake mixes and simple recipe which we are taught in secondary school. I can make a decent cake with the boxed mixes, but choices are limited. I have no incentive to expand my culinary skills in that direction.
I have a friend who is a avid baker has shared with me her homemade banana nut muffins for DUMMIES. The muffins came out perfect! No one would have guessed that this is by an amateur. It was just as moist and fluffy as the ones you get in bakery.

Ingredients:
3 large bananas (ripe)
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1/3 cup melted butter
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
a pinch of salt
1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup chopped walnut

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celcius.
2. Line muffin tray with muffin paper cups.
3. Mash bananas well.
4. Add sugar and slightly beaten egg.
5. Add melted butter and chopped walnuts.
6. Add all dry ingredients to banana mixture and stir to mix. Please ensure no lumps or else you will be bitting into lumps of uncooked flour - not a pleasant taste.
7. Fill muffin cups to about 3/4 top the top and bake for 20 mins.

note : for variation, you may substitute walnut for pecan nut, almond or hazelnut.